Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-05-20
THIRD DAYS PROCEEDINGS.

W
Rapidan. Bishop Randolph then read a
and strong essay on the question,
1.-The Episcopal Church, is it Protestant"
1t was listened to with marked attention by
very large congregation. After sketching
with mastery hand the development OF
the efforts to unprotestantize the church,
and the historical grounds for the Protest
ant position, he summed up as follows: We
have passed in review the arguments relied
upon by those who seek to repudiate the
name Protestant from the title Of the church.
We have shown the narrowness and
the ignorance of that conception OF
the meaning of The word which linn
its it to protest against the errors of Rome.
We have exposed the fallacy of the change
of sectarianism upon Protestant churches.
We have seen that history abundantly
proves that the Episcopal Church in EGG
land and America in its doctrine, dis.
cipline and worship is a Protestant
church. These are the lines upon which
the attack must be resisted. We must
vindicate the name because we believe in it
and because we hold the conception of the
Gospel and of the church which it repro
sents. Ifit is only question of feeling or
LOYALTY TO traditional associations, our hold
upon it is too feeble to stand against an ag-
gressive party who are opposing it upon
principle. Given q coherent system OPP.
posed to sentiment, without principles be-
hind them, and victory for the former is
only question of time. lt is equally futile
TO expect an effective resistance upon the
grounds of objections to other names which
may be proposed as substitutes. To the
surprise of the present writer large part Of
the strength OF the debate in the Chicago
convention upon the Protestant slde was ex.
pended in an attack upon hypothetical
names, which may bs introduced into the
title in the event Of the success of the effort
for the proposed alteration. Reliance upon
such arguments is confession of weakness.
If we have no better reason for advocating
the name Protestant than the principle of
choice of evils, then we have no right to ad
vocate it at all. The dignity of the church
and the sacredness of religion demand that
the words which we use in the title should
he grounded on conviction, and not in ex-
pediency. If the question had been the
adoption of the name Protestant, the
proposition might have been rejected
without the slightest suspicion OF antl-Pro.
testant principles attaching to the church.
1t might have been argued that it is
because it is as obvious
from our history aud doctrine that we are
8 Protestant, as that we are Christian
church But to abandon the name upon the
grounds proposed, of antagonism to Protest
ant principles. is in the nature of revolu-
ton. and looms up into question of trans
cendant import for the church. We cam
expect nothing from those who hold the
name in the spirit of Indifference, or as
question of policy, or as matter to be de-
termned by future developments. DR.. An
mold in letter to Archbishop Whately says,
Neutrality seems to me natural state for
men of fair honesty, moderate w.t. and
much Incidence. They cannot get strong
of what is true and right, and
the weak impression which is all they do
get, does not overcome Incidence and fears.
I crave q strong mind for my children for
this reason, that they have then chance at
least OF approaching truth, and when man
does that honesty becomes comparatively
easy. As for instance Peel has an idea
about the currency, and distinct impress
sion about it, and therefore, on that point
| would trust him, but about most matters,
the church. especially, he seems to have no
idea, and therefore l would not trust him,
for not giving it all up tomorrow if the
clamor were loud enough" The conduct of
good men in ecclesiastical, as well as in po-
itical affairs, often veriies Arnold's incisive
words. The man without definite convic
ions will in the long run be found in the
ranks of the party which ia most persistently
and which makes the loudest clam.
Dr.. 1t is difficult TO understand how High
Churchmen and Ritualists can reconcile
heir exclusive theory of the Church with
he generous sympathes of o large heart,
md the broader views of cultivated in
which it is admitted that their
possess. 1t Is difficult to
the position taken by some of
he ablest advocates of the change in the
itle-that the name Protestant is an obsta-
lie. the great obstacle to the growth of the |
With the abandonment of the name she will !
inter upon an era OF progress and power
With the masses Of the people. America is
Protestant land, because she is the land CT
N open Bible, the land of religious liberty.
here. the people of this land do not love
riests, and do not believe in priestly as
umptious Each advance in sacerdotal
nd the clergy Unlike former ages, in the
Id world, when education was confined to
be clergy, aud the masses lay in hopeless
ignorance, this age subjects every claim to
earchiug criticism. II estimates churches
ot by their assumptions, but by the actual
esults of their activity in spreading the
ospel. The church that usurps to itself
ne name of Catholic, and uochurches great
odies of Christians. who are doing the
reat work of the age for God and for man,
ill find that the world is moving
way from it, and leaving it to perish in its
IF imposed isolation. 1t is idle to legislate
nd to talk of unity when we are advancing
/ ecclesiastical and priestly assumption,
hich render unity impossible. the Epis-